complications

Last reviewed 04/2023

Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome are more likely than other women of the same age to have cardiovascular risk factors (central body fat distribution, obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridaemia, reduced HDL-cholesterol concentrations).

The complications of the polycystic ovarian syndrome include:

• infertility
• 2-fold increased risk of diabetes mellitus (1). A higher risk of gestational diabetes is also seen, especially in obese women (2)
• 3-fold increased risk of TIA/stroke (1)
• increased risk of development of endometrial cancer (1)
• obstructive sleep apnoea - prevalence is increased in PCOS patients, and they might complain of daytime somnolence/fatigue and snoring (2)

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome do not appear to be at an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease (1).

Reference:

• (1) Wild S et al (2000). Cardiovascular disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome at long-term follow-up: a retrospective cohort study. Clin Endocrinol, 52, 595-600.
• (2) RCOG (2007) Long-term consequences of polycystic ovary syndrome